Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Easter activities for families in Dorset
Easter Family Fun in Dorset
Spring into Easter
Check out our guide for things to do at home and out-and-about this spring season
Full moon dates
- 25th March - 18:57
- 24th April - 21:33
- 23rd May - 21:59
See the BBC Sky at Night website for useful tips on how to observe the moon: www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/skills/how-to-observe-the-moon
**Don’t forget that the clocks go forward on 31st March at 1am**
Easter craft
Stores such as The Works, The Range and Hobbycraft have lots of low-cost Easter craft ideas that you can enjoy at home including blank decorations for painting/colouring, bonnet making, garland and card crafting amongst other ideas.
If you are stuck for ideas, or want to utilise materials that you already have at home then take a look at our Easter Pinterest board at www.pinterest.com/primarytimeswriteplacemedia
Easter bookshelf
The Easter Story (My First Bible Story Series)
This illustrated retelling of the story of Easter is presented in simple and easy-to-understand language for young children and ideas for participation. Recommended for ages 4 to 7.
Would You Rather? Easter Edition by Lindsey Daly
In this Easter-themed book based on the popular game, readers of all ages can enjoy over 160 ‘Would You Rather’ questions and scenarios as a way to pass time and open up light-hearted discussions. Recommended for all ages but particularly age 8 to 12.
Easter Puzzles (Usborne Minis)
In this pocket-sized puzzle book, kids can enjoy spot the difference activities, crosswords, wordsearches, logic puzzles and more. Recommended for ages 6 to 9.
New for 2024 – Sylvanian Families: Easter Search and Find
Explore the world of Sylvanian Families at Easter time with over 25 scenes to search and 200 things to spot. For ages 6 to 9.
New for 2024 – Dear Easter Bunny by Maxine Lee-Mackie
In this funny and warm hearted story, we join the Easter Bunny who needs her chick helpers to save the day when her superspectacular Eggatron chocolate making machine goes badly wrong
Nature spotting
Check out this quick guide to wildlife that you might be able to find when out and about this season
March/April: Peacock butterfly, brown hare, house martin, early bumblebee, bluebells
May: Badger cubs, fox cubs, rabbit, cuckoos
Easter dates
Good Friday – 29th march
Easter Sunday – 31st March
Easter Monday – 1st April
Easter Eggs
A chocolate treat can often be the main attraction during celebrations this season and in recent years, manufacturers have become increasingly adaptable to different requirements. For example, chocolate eggs that cater to food allergies and intolerances as well as vegan options are now more widely available than they ever have been before. Also, many Easter eggs are now in more environmentally friendly packaging with an increase in recyclable materials and reduction in plastics.
The Macmillan Caring Locally Summer Fete - Saturday 15th June at Christchurch Hospital between 1pm – 3pm!
Go and join in for a fun-filled day with lots of games, stalls, and activities. Test your skills at their carnival-style games and win exciting prizes. They’ve got something for everyone, Mr Pop's Balloons will be there to shift and shape those balloons into some amazing creatures, there will be an afternoon tea, music, vintage cars, a car wash and local heroes from the police and fire brigade!
AND MUCH, MUCH MORE! FREE ENTRY AND FREE PARKING!
Give your little one the best introduction to sport with Mini Athletics!
Their fun, imaginative and inspiring sessions teach the basics of athletic movement (running, jumping, catching and throwing) through structured games. Each week has a different theme ranging from dinosaurs to unicorns, the beach and pirates and your children will be having so much fun they won't realise all the new skills they are learning. Their classes are also a chance for them to burn off energy, make new friends, grow in confidence and create happy memories. Every session ends by celebrating achievements with stickers on the podium!
Find out more at www.miniathletics.com
GO EAST at Monkey World this Easter holiday!
The park is fundraising to put rescued and rehabilitated primates back into the wild from their sister sanctuary in Vietnam, ran by charity EAST (Endangered Asian Species Trust).
2024 is a bumper year of releases with endangered loris, gibbons & doucs all returning to protected forest. At Monkey World this Easter, they will be supporting the charity through talks, activities, games & stalls all about their work in Vietnam!
PLUS over the bank holiday weekend, every child who completes the FREE Easter Trail will get chocolate treats!
Visit www.monkeyworld.org to book your visit!
Wimborne Model Town
Discover Wimborne’s Little Treasure from the 1950s. Take the Easter quiz to guide you around this fascinating town in miniature, with over 100 shops and businesses at 1/10 scale set in beautiful gardens.
Meet the Wareham Bears, make music in the Sensory Garden, drive a train in the Model Railway, discover “Life Before Lego” and wonder at the detail in the Beryl Dade Dolls’ House Collection. Play a game of Crazy Golf for a small charge!
Their tea room offers hot and cold drinks, cakes and lunches and your entry ticket gives you unlimited return visits for a year!
Visit www.wimborne-modeltown.com to find out more.
National Trust – Brownsea Island
Beautiful Brownsea Island re-opens on 16 March, explore the island this spring and see if you can spot a rare red squirrel. Get active in the natural play area, or join them for a Family Bushcraft Workshop to learn wilderness skills. These workshops start on 5 and 6 April, booking is essential. Take part in a nature themed Easter Egg Hunt which runs from 23 March – 14 April. The trail includes fun family games, an Easter sheet, bunny ears and a chocolate egg.
Find out more at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/brownsea-island
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The Tank Museum - Medalling Kids – 29 March to 14 April
Investigate the medals in The Tank Museum with Easter Holiday fun for the whole family.
The Tank Museum brings the story of tanks and their crews to life. Experience the biggest day out in history with 300 tanks, explosive live displays every weekday, kids’ activities, and more at Dorset’s largest indoor attraction.
As part of the Museum’s redisplay of its extensive medal collection, they developed exciting activities based on the stories of the brave tank crews who were awarded them. Book online and save 10%. Every regular ticket includes an Annual Pass.
Find out more at www.tankmuseum.org
Weymouth Pavilion
Conveniently situated by Weymouth’s award-winning beach, Weymouth Pavilion is the perfect stop for families, with hot and cold refreshments available plus a selection of popular family shows over the holidays.
The café Ritz is open daily from 10am, serving tea, coffee, cakes and more; plus on select days you can choose something hot from the menu to have in or take away!
Weymouth Pavilion is dog-friendly, offering a lifetime supply of treats for your furry friends!
To book tickets or find out more visit weymouthpavilion.com or call on 01305 783 225
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New trail at Abbotsbury Swannery
Exciting news! The Abbotsbury Swannery has teamed up with Brambly Hedge to create a story trail for children and families. Brambly Hedge is a collection of children’s stories and illustrations that follow the lives of a community of self-sufficient mice who live in Brambly Hedge. Based on the Sea Story book, the trail includes stamp points, characters to meet and an activity booklet. The trail runs alongside the daily mass swan feeds, willow swan maze and pedal go-karts, and is open all season.
Find out more at www.abbotsburyswannery.co.uk
Equally Different Therapy
Equally Different Therapy was born from a parent's frustration with the lack of mental health support for her autistic children and inadequate school assistance. Sarah embarked on a journey to become a psychologist to address this gap. Together, Sarah and Anna, both Clinical Associate Psychologists, extend their support to parents, children, and schools. Their services include Autism assessments, mental health evaluations for EHCP support, cognitive assessments, therapy, and psychoeducation to tackle persistent mental health issues. For those interested, they offer a complimentary 20-minute consultation
Reach out to them at 01747 590715/07375793091 or contact@equallydifferenttherapy.co.uk or www.equallydifferenttherapy.co.uk
Easter at Durlston!
There’s loads happening this Easter at beautiful Durlston Country Park in Swanage.
Join the Easter Trail to search for the hidden bunnies and win a prize!
Artist Ilona Skaldzien will be offering free family workshops, making sculptures from paper, Mark Paige will introduce kids to drawing, or join the Rangers to make and fly your own mini-kites.
On Saturday 13th April, theatre group ‘Valise Noir’ offer the chance to explore Durlston, discovering the world of plants, with live performances, artworks and get creative in their ‘Wonderdomes’ event. Tickets are free but booking essential.
For details or to book visit www.durlston.co.uk
Oliver! at Lighthouse, Poole this June!
Consider yourself one of the family as P&P return to Lighthouse, Poole with the classic family musical Oliver! Follow young orphan Oliver Twist as he escapes the workhouse, navigating Victorian London’s underworld of rogues, villains and unlikely friends, in search of a home and a loving family. With a sensational score including Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, Oom Pah Pah, and I’d Do Anything, Oliver! brings Dickens’ beloved novel to life once again.
Performances at 7:30pm on Wednesday 5th- Saturday 8th June, with a relaxed performance at 11am & matinée at 3pm on Saturday.
Tickets from www.LighthousePoole.co.uk or 01202 280000
Easter at Dorset Museum and Art Gallery
Looking for an adventure this Easter? Go and visit Dorset Museum & Art Gallery to explore the exhibitions, interact with the displays, dress up as famous historical figures, or hop into one of the egg-citing bird-themed activities. In addition to the regular museum offerings, on Thursday 4 April and Thursday 11 April, they have a nest full of free family fun events. You can get crafty with a build-your-own nest activity using recycled materials in the Learning Centre and follow a bird-spotting trail that'll lead you through the Museum and its Natural History collection.
Find out more at www.dorsetmuseum.org
The Cheese and Chilli Festival, Christchurch – 18th and 19th May
The Cheese and Chilli Festival is a family show offering something for everyone. There will be many traders selling cheese and chilli products as well as craft and retail stands. There is a family area accommodating FREE shows such as Wrestling, Punch and Judy, a Magician, Circus Skills, children’s fun rides (paid for activity) inflatables etc. If that is not enough, there are more FREE activities including live music, demonstrations/talks, a chilli eating competition, a chilli food challenge, a chilli sauce competition, crazy golf and loads more. There is plenty to eat and drink with authentic food stalls available.
More information available at www.cheeseandchillifestival.com/christchurch
Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park
Whether you are searching for some ultra-fun kids’ entertainment, somewhere to play indoors, or a friendly space to let your kids run free and burn all that Easter energy. Farmer Palmer's Farm Park has something for everyone.
From 29th March to 1st April, join their egg-citing Egg Hunts and search for the chocolates dotted in the field. If you’re lucky enough to find a Golden Ticket, swap it for a large egg from our shop! From the 29th of March to the 4th of April and the 9th to 11th of April you can join their awesome Bandit Bunny Tractor Trailer Ride (£2.50pp), where staff dress up and customers are given water pistols for the ultimate soak-off!
This is all on top of their usual fun animal activities, indoor and outdoor play, and homemade goodies from their Hen House Restaurant! You can expect Goat Feeding, Guinea Pig Handling, Indoor Soft Play, their indoor Little Farmer’s Play Barn, the Dinosaur Discovery Trail down their Woodland Walk, Go-Kart track (which adults can join too!), Pedal Tractors, and so much more.
Visit their website to find out more and book your tickets at www.farmerpalmers.co.uk